Free VO2max test

adh038

Cyclists and triathletes are needed for a very short research study into cardiac function. You will be asked to report to the laboratory at Kingston University for a short incremental max test lasting approximately 20 minutes.

Any interested parties should contact adrian.haggett@kingston.ac.uk for further information.

Many thanks

fuzzynavel

adh038 wrote:

Cyclists and triathletes are needed for a very short research study into cardiac function. You will be asked to report to the laboratory at Kingston University for a short incremental max test lasting approximately 20 minutes.

Any interested parties should contact adrian.haggett@kingston.ac.uk for further information.

Many thanks

Would love to but I am in edinburgh.

genki

I've emailed you. I'm on for it.

Simon Donne

sportbilly1976

would love to too...if there is one in manchester that anyone knows about??

willbevan

im the same, would like one if near me, newport, cardiff, birmingham, gloucester etc lol

stephec

sportbilly1976 wrote:

would love to too...if there is one in manchester that anyone knows about??

I did one at Salford unversity that was organised by a club member as part of his sports science degree. Unfortunately he's now finished but I might see if they still run them.

edhornby

+1 for manchester if they need willing idiots

Jonathan M

Another for Manchester (or Liverpool).

cacbyname

I had a test done at the Manchester Metropolitan University physiology labs which are actually near Alsager - might be worth enquiring there if you are keen to have it done.
It was part of an MSc student's research project in June, the test was a "reward" for pedalling for 15mins with a set of standard and Q-rings to compare the efficiencies of both.

I'm not sure what you are all expecting to get out of a VO2 max test, unless you have them regularly to track progress as part of a training program then it is just a number that indicates your potential. If it's low, are you going to give up cycling as you realise you have no future in the sport?
It didn't bother me
And if it is high, are you going to give up the day job

mclarent

cacbyname wrote:

And if it is high, are you going to give up the day job

Well, if I was 20 years younger...

oldwelshman

Who said anything about age? I am 47 and up for it, mail sent

Alex_Simmons/RST

cacbyname wrote:

I'm not sure what you are all expecting to get out of a VO2 max test, unless you have them regularly to track progress as part of a training program then it is just a number that indicates your potential. If it's low, are you going to give up cycling as you realise you have no future in the sport?
It didn't bother me
And if it is high, are you going to give up the day job

Indeed, VO2 Max is not a very good indicator of endurance cycling performance potential.

While one needs a relatively high VO2 Max to be say, a pro cyclist, that in itself is not a good indicator of performance potential, since it ignores i. the % of VO2 Max one is capable of sustaining over longer periods (e.g. in TTs and mountain climbs) and ii. efficiency, both of which can have very large impacts on performance.

Power to weight ratio at Lactate Threshold is a much more reliable physiological indicator of performance potential.

skavanagh.bikeradar

What test gives this information Alex?

Alex_Simmons/RST

skavanagh.bikeradar wrote:

What test gives this information Alex?

A lactate threshold test of course

Typically this involves a ramp test but with much lower ramp rate than used in VO2 Max testing, with steps at a given intensity (power) being held for longer durations, and taking blood samples to check blood lactate concentration.

There are several levels typically referenced (and there are different names used as well, so I'll use some common ones):
LT, which is the intensity at which BL rises ~ 1mMol/l above baseline value;
Maximal Lactate Steady State (MLSS) - the maximal intensity at which BL, while elevated still remains stable; and
Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation (OBLA) - which is the intensity at which BL begins to no longer remains stable.

Now which you pick doesn't really matter, as they are all highly correlated and are a measure of metabolic fitness.

But for all practical purposes, simply measuring the maximal power one is able to produce for ~ 1-hour will essentially be equivalent to MLSS.

So in that sense, the most practical test of metabolic fitness (and hence an indicator of one's performance potential) is simply your average power in a well paced time trial effort.

And as some smart dude keeps reminding us, "the best predictor of performance is performance itself".

Anonymous

Another one for Manchester here, would really love to see what mine is.

blackhands

You can determine both lactate threshold and anaerobic threshold from a VO2max test by analysing gases only - ie without taking blood samples.

adh038

Thanks to all those who emailed me regarding the original post.

I would recommend those in other parts of the country to email their local sports science or physiology department (univerzsity level) to enquire about any current research that may entail a free test. There are often masters level or PhD (as in this case) projects that can offer tests in exchange for time in research.

Most labs will also offer a consultancy basis test (i.e. you would need to pay).

mclarent

Has anyone else done / doing this? Would be interested in comparing results when they come through... No competition of course - I'll just lie and say mine were better...

genki

mclarent wrote:

Has anyone else done / doing this? Would be interested in comparing results when they come through... No competition of course - I'll just lie and say mine were better...

A mate and I did it yesterday. The ramp rate was slower than I expected and only went up at 30W every 3 minutes - I'd been expecting 30W/min. Breathing through the mask made it feel harder to suck the air in once it got to the later stages. I managed the 3 mins at 350W and 1 min of the 380's before folding. My friend just made it into the 350's. VO2's were 58 and 56 respectively, but he's got 5kg to lose so he claims he's as good as over 60 :roll: .

Do one of these tests if they get offered. The guys running it were very professional, encourging and should be able to provide you with some useful numbers for your training.

So come on. give us your numbers...

LuckyPierre2007

I got to the 410's but that jump stopped me in my tracks. I think they said VO2 of 53 (for 82kg, also some to lose) but await data from them with interest

mclarent

embaressingly, I didn't note the final power(!) Can't remember the ramp levels now, was it 5 mins at 150 5 mins at 200 then 30W per 3 mins? I lasted 26 minutes something, which would have been what, 380?

I agree, breathing through the mask at the end made it really difficult to get enough air in, which was a shame, but anyway, came out at 56 V02 (for 96kg) and max HR during the test of 181. I too could lose 5kg(!) but I have a large chest (Chris Hoy style ) which I think boosted my number somewhat.

oldwelshman

I have no idea what I reached but it is no good comparing to each other as that means nothing, fatter guys need more watts than skinny guys Get on a bike in a race and I get more watts out when I need them, not on a test bike
I actually did not get near my hrmax as I found the bike resistance too hard and I found it more like a climb and not my natural cadance and as others stated I found it hard to take in air via the mask, so my legs gave way before my hrmax.
Not got my results yet but would be interesting to compare with same tests in a few weeks after training.

mclarent

oldwelshman wrote:

I have no idea what I reached but it is no good comparing to each other as that means nothing, fatter guys need more watts than skinny guys Get on a bike in a race and I get more watts out when I need them, not on a test bike
I actually did not get near my hrmax as I found the bike resistance too hard and I found it more like a climb and not my natural cadance and as others stated I found it hard to take in air via the mask, so my legs gave way before my hrmax.
Not got my results yet but would be interesting to compare with same tests in a few weeks after training.

Get your excuses out for the lads!

Casbar

adh038

I would be happy to part take if you still need volunteers

let me know

Cas

oldwelshman

mclarent wrote:

oldwelshman wrote:

I have no idea what I reached but it is no good comparing to each other as that means nothing, fatter guys need more watts than skinny guys Get on a bike in a race and I get more watts out when I need them, not on a test bike
I actually did not get near my hrmax as I found the bike resistance too hard and I found it more like a climb and not my natural cadance and as others stated I found it hard to take in air via the mask, so my legs gave way before my hrmax.
Not got my results yet but would be interesting to compare with same tests in a few weeks after training.

Get your excuses out for the lads!

Excuses? Dont think so, I did this now as I am at my unfittest state currently
You can always come to Newport and have a go on the track with me to compare but I am 48 so it might not look good if ou got beat by an unfit 48 yearold